After the coach, here are the interviews with some of the Nerazzurri players who took to the pitch: Rafael Toloi, Remo Freuler and Duván Zapata are sorry for not being able to give the fans – in the stands and at home – the joy of qualifying to the Champions League Round of 16. 

Rafael Toloi

Rafa Toloi, it didn’t go well. It’s important to say that Atalanta weren’t very lucky, with all those shots off the post and the crossbar.

“True. I’m very unhappy with the result. We wanted to win this match because we wanted to progress in the Champions League. But beyond the result, I think we did well. We did better in the second half when we created many chances. We could have had a different result. The ball was always inches off target. As I said, we did great. We must keep our heads high because we’re aware of our strength. We proved it again today, obviously more in the second half. We must keep on working. We now head into the Europe League and it’s important for us. We want to do well. So, we’ll keep our heads high. We must focus on the league now. We have a league fixture already on Sunday. We must work hard with confidence, as always.”

You were struck cold. You had to change the plan of the match.

“After the first goal, which we hadn’t been expecting because we were caught possession, unfortunately, we made a mistake in the box. But it happens in football. It’s a part of it. The important thing, as I said, is that we gave a good response in the second half. We worked hard, we run. We made the most of it. We created many chances. I’m sorry about the result. I’m sorry for us and our fans, who wanted to go through as much as we did. But we’ll keep our heads high. Now we have to focus on the League. Then we’ll have fixtures in the Europe League, Coppa Italia. We have many games to play this season. We’re aware of our strengths.”

You were knocked out of the competition having your heads high, with your fans applauding, who have always encouraged you.

“Always. Not since today but since I’m here, in Bergamo. Our fans have always been by our side. It’s very important for us. As I said, I’m sorry. We wanted to move forward but we know our strength. We’ll keep on working hard and focus on the League, which is already on Sunday.”

Remo Freuler, what a pity… You were so close to tie it. You weren’t lucky either because one shot went off the crossbar, two others off the post… What a pity!

“We weren’t lucky but we made too many individual mistakes. We gifted them goals, especially the first one. After that, it’s difficult to win the match even if we had a chance to get four goals today. It’s a pity! It would have been wonderful to go through in the Champions League.”

Atalanta remain in Europe, anyways. It doesn’t console you at the moment, does it?

“Our goal was to make it through because we could fight against all the teams [in the Champions League]. We were leading in the last five matches but didn’t win all of them. We regret it. But we’ll play in the Europa League. But first we have to analyse this match. Then we’ll prepare as well as possible for the Europa League.”

Duván Zapata, what a disappointment!

“Yes, we’re disappointed. We’re sad. We wanted to win. We wanted to be among the best, among the strongest teams. Unfortunately, today we leave the competition. But we’re out with our heads high, as we gave it all. We could have done better in some matches, at some episodes. But it’s okay. It’s a top-level competition. There are no easy matches. That’s it. We leave from the UCL with our heads high.

You weren’t very lucky. It got complicated right away as the match went immediately uphill. You conceded a goal right away.

“Yes, I think so, too. Perhaps, we were unlucky. But we gave everything on the pitch. We went behind at the start of the match. But we tried to tie it immediately, anyway. Perhaps, it went against us, especially in the first half, the fact that we tried to equalise it right away. Perhaps, we rushed too much, when we were passing. We improved in the second half. We managed to score goals. But, unfortunately, it was enough to tie it, at least.”

Also because in the end you nearly equalised.

“Yes, we did have chances.”

But, as you said, we weren’t lucky.

“It’s okay, we learn from mistakes. It’s our turn to leave this top competition this year. We had gone through in recent years.”

But, Duván, you’re still in Europe, in the Europa League.

“Yes, of course.”

You’ll play some international matches, anyway.

“Yes. We have other fixtures ahead. We put our energy into every match. First, we’ll focus on the League, which fixtures are important. And then we’ll think about the Europa League.”